Are you ready for Stir-up Sunday?

Penny Bunting looks at the origins of the modern Christmas cake – and offers an ‘easy’ version of this festive classic. We have all the results, too, of the Chesterfield Food & Drink Awards.

NOW THAT WE’RE IN NOVEMBER, thoughts will almost certainly be turning towards Christmas – and one festive tradition that few of us would be without is the Christmas cake. A rich fruit cake, topped with thick layers of marzipan and icing, is the centrepiece of many Christmas tea tables…